Ponytail Styling Tool and Hair Strand Attachment

ABSTRACT

A ponytail styling tool and hair strand attachment and methods of use thereof provide a means for wrapping the user&#39;s own hair around a ponytail. The synthetic hair strand attachment may optionally be affixed to the end of the ponytail. The styling tool provides an elongated shaft having a point on one end opposite a pin and clasp on the second end. The styling tool is used by first creating a standard ponytail or similar hairdo of the user&#39;s hair with a common ponytail securing means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”, then taking a strand of the user&#39;s hair, wrapping the strand of hair around the ponytail, securing the strand of hair to the pin portion of the styling tool, then inserting the pin at the top of the ponytail near the user&#39;s scalp and pulling the secured hair strand through the ponytail in a downward longitudinal direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/048,225, filed Sep. 9, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to hairstyling accessories and inparticular to a ponytail styling tool and hair strand attachment. Intheir search for a new and attractive look for their hair, many ladieswould welcome a simple yet attractive new style option. However, due totheir busy lifestyles, such an accessory must be capable of beingachieved as a hairdo quickly, easily, and with an attractiveness that isreliable. A ponytail styling tool and optional hair strand attachment,enabling the user to wrap their own hair around the secured ponytail orsimilar hairdo and quickly secure it with the styling tool, optionallyenhanced with the hair strand attachment affixed to the end of theponytail, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a ponytail styling tool andhair strand attachment, and to methods of use thereof. The styling toolprovides a means for wrapping the user's own hair around a ponytail. Thesynthetic hair strand attachment may optionally be affixed to the end ofthe ponytail. The styling tool provides an elongated shaft having apoint on one end opposite a pin and clasp, or loop closure design on thesecond end. The styling tool is used by first creating a standardponytail or similar hairdo of the user's hair with a common ponytailsecuring means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”, then taking astrand of the user's hair, wrapping the strand of hair around theponytail, securing the strand of hair to the pin or loop portion of thestyling tool, then inserting the pin at the top of the ponytail near theuser's scalp and pulling the secured hair strand through the ponytail ina downward longitudinal direction.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understandingof the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of thespecification. It illustrates one embodiment of the invention and,together with the description, serves to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displayingthe styling tool 10, the pin 11, the clasp 11A, the linings 11B, theshaft 12, and the point 14.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displayingthe hair strand 15 and the hook 16.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the second exemplary embodiment, displayingthe styling tool 10, the shaft 12, the loop 13B, the slide closure 13A,and the point 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a ponytail attachment 10 and hair strand 15.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of two components: a stylingtool 10 and a hair strand 15. The styling tool 10 comprises a rigidcylindrical shaft 12, tapering to a point 14 at one end, and terminatingin a pin 11 at the other end. The pin 11 emerges longitudinally from theend of the shaft 12, and is similar in structure and function to asafety pin, including a clasp 11A. The two halves of the pin 11 provideflexible, concave linings 11B which firmly grasp an object when the pin11 is closed with the clasp 11A such that hair strands so gripped do notslide. A secondary embodiment may also end in a loop 13B which may besecured around a hair strand 15 with a slide closure 13A. The slideclosure 13A would allow the loop to enclose around and secure the hairstrand 15.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user first creates a standardponytail or similar hairdo of the user's own hair with a common ponytailsecuring means, for example a rubber band or “scrunchy”. The user thentakes a strand of the user's hair and wraps the strand of hair aroundthe ponytail or other hairdo in a spiral pattern or other decorativepattern. The user then secures the strand of hair to the pin 11 betweenthe linings 11B by closing the clasp 11A. Then, the user inserts the pin11 at the top of the ponytail near the user's scalp and pulls thesecured hair strand through the ponytail in a downward longitudinaldirection.

The hair strand 15 is preferably manufactured from synthetic hair, forexample a plastic fiber material, and may be added to the user'sponytail or similar hairdo, then secured quickly and easily with thehook 16. The upper end of the hair strand 15 is permanently affixed tothe hook 16, which is covered in a smooth, flexible material to avoidtangling. The hook 16 retains its shape when temporarily deformed. Thehair strand may be affixed to the user's hairdo by linking the hook 16to the rubber band, “scrunchy”, or similar article used to prepare theponytail or similar hairdo.

The styling tool 10 and the pin 11 are preferably manufactured from arigid, durable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, orrigid plastic. The linings 11B are preferably manufactured from aflexible, durable material, such as rubber or silicone. The loop 13B andloop fastener 13A are preferably made from a flexible material such asplastic wire. The hair strand 15 is preferably manufactured from asynthetic hair, for example a plastic fiber material. The hair strand 15may be provided in decorative colors, patterns, or variations thereof.The wire 16 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durablematerial such as steel or copper wire, covered in a smooth, flexible,durable material such as silicone.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable,but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materialscould be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A ponytail styling tool with hair strand attachment,comprising: (a) a ponytail styling tool; (b) a hair strand attachment;